Adaptive type beacon cigar jack device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device according to the present invention, which is a cigarette lighter plug device owned by a user, includes a body insertion unit having a body structure to be inserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle, a power supply unit configured to receive power from the vehicle through the cigarette lighter receptacle when the body insertion unit is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle, a power conversion unit configured to convert the power received from the vehicle into at least one type of designated operating power; a universal serial bus (USB) connector unit including a USB connector configured to apply USB power converted by the power conversion unit to the outside; a power charging unit configured to charge at least power supplied through the power supply unit and/or power converted by the power conversion unit; and a beacon module configured to operate with vehicular power supplied from the vehicle when it is confirmed that the body insertion unit is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle and the vehicular power is being supplied from the vehicle through the power supply unit or operate with power charged in the power charging unit when it is not confirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied from the vehicle, process at least one type of bidirectional data communication including bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with a paired user terminal when a Bluetooth function of the user terminal is activated, and broadcast at least one Bluetooth-based beacon signal using the vehicular power or the charged power.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention provides an adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plugdevice, which is inserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle, includinga beacon module. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device iscontrolled to transmit a default beacon signal for providing adesignated service in a designated space, amplify and transmit a beaconsignal through vehicular power when the vehicular power is beingsupplied, transmit a beacon signal in a low-energy mode using chargedpower when the vehicular power is not being supplied, and selectivelybroadcast a use-specific beacon signal other than the default beaconsignal through a user terminal.

BACKGROUND ART

Disclosed is a beacon service that provides anidentification/authentication or membership service in a designatedspace (e.g., a department store, an apartment, a building, and adesignated parking lot) by using a Bluetooth-based beacon module builtin a cigarette lighter plug device to be inserted into a cigarettelighter receptacle of a vehicle.

Typically, a cigarette lighter plug device to be inserted into acigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle is used as a power supplydevice for various kinds of devices (e.g., a navigation device) includedin the vehicle or a terminal (e.g., a user's cell phone or smart phone)(Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-0013957, published on Feb. 21,2002). Various kinds of devices or a terminal that uses the cigarettelighter plug device as a power supply device are disposed near awindshield of the vehicle, and a terminal carried by a user transmitsand receives a radio frequency signal with high power. Thus, these donot cause any problems for providing wireless communication inside thevehicle.

However, when a beacon module configured to transmit a beacon signal isincluded in the cigarette lighter plug device, the beacon module hasdifficulty in transmitting the beacon signal to the outside. A cigarettelighter receptacle of a vehicle is positioned near a gear shift betweena driver seat and a passenger seat, and electromagnetic waveinterference caused by various kinds of electronic devices included inthe vehicle is severe at this position. In particular, because ofmetallic material of a vehicular frame or body, it is difficult totransmit a beacon signal to the outside of the vehicle. In addition, aBluetooth beacon is designed to operate in a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)mode. In the BLE mode, it is more difficult for a beacon module built ina cigarette lighter plug device to transmit a beacon signal to theoutside of the vehicle.

When a beacon module built in a cigarette lighter plug device provides abeacon service, it is possible to recognize the beacon signal throughonly a beacon receiver installed in a designated space and to provide adesignated service, and it is difficult to provide a beacon service in anon-designated space (e.g., a space where a beacon receiver isconfigured to receive a default beacon signal of a beacon module).Typically, this problem may be solved by modifying or connecting abeacon receiver installed in a non-designated space to a network toremotely control the beacon receiver. In this case, there is a problemin that the infrastructure is expensive to construct or modify.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

In order to solve the above-problems, the present invention is directedto providing an adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug devicecomprising: a body insertion unit having a body structure to be insertedinto a cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle; a power supply unitconfigured to receive power from the vehicle through the cigarettelighter receptacle when the body insertion unit is inserted into thecigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle; a power conversion unitconfigured to convert the power received from the vehicle into at leastone type of designated operating power; a universal serial bus (USB)connector unit comprising a USB connector configured to provide externalUSB power converted by the power conversion; a power charging unitconfigured to charge using at least one of power supplied through thepower supply unit and power converted by the power conversion unit; anda beacon module configured to operate with vehicular power supplied fromthe vehicle when it is confirmed that the body insertion unit isinserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle and thevehicular power is being supplied from the vehicle through the powersupply unit or operate with power charged in the power charging unitwhen it is not confirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied fromthe vehicle, process at least one type of bidirectional datacommunication including bidirectional Bluetooth data communication witha paired user terminal when a Bluetooth function of the user terminal isactivated, and broadcast at least one Bluetooth-based beacon signalusing the vehicular power or the charged power.

Technical Solution

The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device according to thepresent invention, which is a cigarette lighter plug device owned by auser, includes a body insertion unit having a body structure to beinserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle, a powersupply unit configured to receive power from the vehicle through thecigarette lighter receptacle when the body insertion unit is insertedinto the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle, a power conversionunit configured to convert the power received from the vehicle into atleast one type of designated operating power; a universal serial bus(USB) connector unit including a USB connector configured to apply USBpower converted by the power conversion unit to the outside, a powercharging unit configured to charge using at least one of power suppliedthrough the power supply unit and power converted by the powerconversion unit; and a beacon module configured to operate withvehicular power supplied from the vehicle when it is confirmed that thebody insertion unit is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle ofthe vehicle and the vehicular power is being supplied from the vehiclethrough the power supply unit or operate with power charged in the powercharging unit when it is not confirmed that the vehicular power is beingsupplied from the vehicle, process at least one type of bidirectionaldata communication including bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationwith a paired user terminal when a Bluetooth function of the userterminal is activated, and broadcast at least one Bluetooth-based beaconsignal using the vehicular power or the charged power.

According to the present invention, the beacon module may performbidirectional USB data communication with the user terminal when theuser terminal is connected to the USB connector unit.

According to the present invention, the beacon module may include apower check unit configured to check whether the vehicular power isbeing supplied from the vehicle; and a mode setting unit configured toset or confirm an operation mode to or as a vehicular power mode inwhich the beacon module operates with the vehicular power when it isconfirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied and set or confirmthe operation mode to or as a charged power mode in which the beaconmodule operates with the power charged in the power charging unit whenit is not confirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied.

According to the present invention, the beacon module may include asignal control unit configured to control amplification of the beaconsignal to a pre-calculated power or maximum available power andbroadcast of the amplified beacon signal when the beacon module operateswith the vehicular power.

According to the present invention, the beacon module may include acommunication processing unit configured to receive setting informationfor controlling selective broadcast of a use-specific beacon signal fromthe user terminal through the bidirectional data communication and atransmission control unit configured to control broadcast of ause-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting information.

According to the present invention, the transmission control unit maydetermine whether to broadcast the use-specific beacon signal accordingto a control command of the user terminal with which the bidirectionaldata communication is established, may determine whether to broadcastthe use-specific beacon signal on the basis of whether USB connection isestablished or released between the USB connector unit and the userterminal while valid setting information is stored in a designateduse-specific memory region, may determine whether to broadcast theuse-specific beacon signal on the basis of whether the bidirectionalBluetooth data communication with the user terminal is possible or notwhile valid setting information is stored in a designated use-specificmemory region, or may allow broadcast of a use-specific beacon signalwhen valid setting information is stored in a designated use-specificmemory region or not allow broadcast of the use-specific beacon signalafter a designated validity period passes or when a specific signal isreceived from the user terminal.

According to the present invention, the beacon module may furtherinclude a USB control unit configured to deactivate USB-based datacommunication when bidirectional Bluetooth data communication isestablished with the user terminal while the beacon module operates withthe vehicular power supplied from the vehicle.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a beaconservice such as an identification/authentication or membership servicein a designated space (e.g., a department store, an apartment, abuilding, and a designated parking lot) by building the beacon module inthe cigarette lighter plug device to be inserted into a cigarettelighter receptacle of a vehicle.

According to the present invention, it is possible to apply variousbeacon services in real time by controlling the beacon module by usingthe cigarette lighter plug device as a power supply device while thecigarette lighter plug device is inserted into a cigarette lighterreceptacle of a vehicle or by using a user terminal when the cigarettelighter plug device is removed from the cigarette lighter receptacle.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide anadaptive beacon service in real time by controlling the beacon module ofthe cigarette lighter plug device through a user terminal to broadcast ause-specific beacon signal other than a default beacon signal, withoutneed for modification and without need for network connection and remotecontrol so a beacon receiver for receiving a beacon signal of the beaconmodule may recognize a default beacon signal of the beacon module.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an adaptive beaconcigarette lighter plug device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a beacon module built ina cigarette lighter plug device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional configurations of a user terminaland a program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mode setting/confirmation process of abeacon module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b is a diagram showing a process of registeringterminal identification information and beacon module identificationinformation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b is a diagram showing a terminal authenticationprocess and a beacon module authentication process according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcastingprocess of a beacon module according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcastingprocess of a beacon module according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcastingprocess of a beacon module according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process of providing setting informationfor broadcasting a use-specific beacon signal according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process of selectivelyactivating/deactivating a bidirectional USB data communication functionof a beacon module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, operation principles of preferred embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. However, drawings shown below and descriptionsdescribed below are for effectively describing features of the presentinvention, and the present invention is not limited to the drawings anddescriptions described below.

That is, embodiments described below correspond to preferableembodiments having the form of a union, and it is obvious that anembodiment in which a specific element (or step) is omitted fromembodiments described below, an embodiment in which a function embodiedin a specific element (or step) is divided into specific elements (orsteps), an embodiment in which functions embodied in two or moreelements (or steps) are integrated into one element (or step), etc. fallwithin the scope of the present patent although not separately mentionedin the following examples. Accordingly, it should be noted that variousembodiments corresponding to subsets and complementary sets based on thefollowing embodiments may be divisionally filed while retaining theirparent's filing data.

In the following description, when a detailed description of a relevantknown function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscurethe gist of the present invention, the detailed description will beomitted. Also, terms used herein are defined in consideration of thefunctions of the present invention and may be changed depending on auser, the intent of an operator, or a custom. Accordingly, the termsshould be defined on the basis of the following overall description ofthis specification.

As a result, the technical scope of the present invention is defined bythe claims, and the following embodiments are intended only to explainthe technical scope of the present invention to those who skilled in theart.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an adaptive beaconcigarette lighter plug device 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The beacon cigarette lighter plug device 100 of the present inventionincludes a body insertion unit 105 having a body structure to beinserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of a vehicle, a powersupply unit 115 configured to receive power from the vehicle through thecigarette lighter receptacle 375 when the body insertion unit 105 isinserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle, abeacon module 200 installed in the body structure and configure toidentify and bidirectionally communicate with a predetermined userterminal 300 or broadcast a designated beacon signal, and an adjustmentunit (not shown) configured to adjust operation of the beacon module200.

The body insertion unit 105 having the body structure to be insertedinto the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle includes a port110 for receiving power (e.g., 12V DC power) generated by a generator ofthe vehicle (or applied from a battery of the vehicle). The bodystructure of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 is not limited to aspecific structure (or shape) and may be any structure as long as theymay be inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicleto receive the power of the vehicle through the port 110.

The power supply unit 115 collectively refers to an element that iselectrically connected with the port 110 included in the body insertionunit 105 to receive the power supplied from the vehicle. When thecigarette lighter plug device 100 is inserted into the cigarette lighterreceptacle 375 of the vehicle, the port 110 of the body insertion unit105 is electrically connected with a contact point of the cigarettelighter receptacle 375.

Referring to FIG. 1, the beacon cigarette lighter plug device 100includes a power conversion unit 120 configured to convert the powerreceived from the vehicle into at least one type of designated operatingpower; a universal serial bus (USB) connector unit 125 configured toapply USB power converted by the power conversion unit 120 to theoutside; a power charging unit configured to charge using at least oneof power supplied through the power supply unit 115 and power convertedby the power conversion unit 120; and a beacon module 200 configured tobroadcast at least one Bluetooth-based beacon signal using at least oneof power supplied from the vehicle and the power charged by the powercharging unit 130.

The power supplied from the vehicle through the power supply unit 115may have different electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, electriccurrent, etc.) from the USB power and/or the operating voltage of thebeacon module 200. For example, the vehicular power may be DC 12V, andthe USB power may be DC 5V. The power conversion unit 120 converts thepower supplied from the vehicle through the power supply unit 115 intopower having electrical characteristics consistent with the USB powerand/or the operation of the beacon module 200.

The USB connector unit 125 includes a connector exposed (or capable ofbeing exposed by opening a predetermined cover) when the body insertionunit 105 is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 andapplies, to the outside through the connector, USB power convertedthrough the power conversion unit 120.

When the body insertion unit 105 is inserted into the cigarette lighterreceptacle 375, the power charging unit 130 charges using at least oneof the power supplied from the vehicle through the power supply unit 115and the power converted through the power conversion unit 120.Preferably, the power charging unit 130 charges power needed for thebeacon module 200 to operate in the low-energy mode. For example, thepower charging unit 130 may include a battery or a supercapacitor.

The beacon module 200 collectively refers to a module (a set ofelements) that is configured to broadcast at least one Bluetooth-basedbeacon signal. When the body insertion unit 105 is inserted into thecigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle, the beacon module 200operates with vehicular power supplied from the vehicle when it isconfirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied from the vehiclethrough the power supply unit 115 or operates with power charged in thepower charging unit 130 when it is not confirmed that the vehicularpower is being supplied from the vehicle. When a Bluetooth function ofthe user terminal 300 paired therewith is activated, the beacon module200 performs bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with the userterminal 300. When the paired user terminal 300 is connected to the USBconnector unit 125, the beacon module 200 performs bidirectional USBdata communication with the user terminal and broadcasts at least oneBluetooth-based beacon signal using the vehicular power or the chargedpower.

When power is being supplied from the vehicle through the power supplyunit 115 or when power supplied from the vehicle is converted intooperating power of the beacon module 200 through the power conversionunit 120 after the body insertion unit 105 is inserted into thecigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle, the beacon module 200may operate using vehicular power supplied from the vehicle through thepower supply unit 115 or the power conversion unit 120.

When the body insertion unit 105 is removed from the cigarette lighterreceptacle 375 of the vehicle or when power is not being supplied fromthe vehicle because the vehicle is turned off although the bodyinsertion unit 105 is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle375, the beacon module 200 operates with the power charged in the powercharging unit 130. Preferably, the beacon module 200 may operate in aBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mode with the power charged by the powercharging unit 130.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the beacon module200 may identify or authenticate the vehicle or a user who driving thevehicle in a designated space the vehicle is entering or may broadcast adefault Bluetooth-based beacon signal in order to identify orauthenticate a membership service to be provided to a user in thedesignated space.

When the Bluetooth function of the user terminal 300 is activated, thebeacon module 200 may be paired with the user terminal 300 to performbidirectional Bluetooth data communication with the paired user terminal300 and may receive valid setting information for specifying the use ofthe Bluetooth-based beacon signal through the bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication from the paired user terminal 300. When the validsetting information is received from the paired user terminal 300through the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication, the beaconmodule 200 may broadcast a use-specific Bluetooth-based beacon signalthat is set by the setting information, instead of the default beaconsignal.

Alternatively, when the user terminal 300 is connected to the USBconnector unit 125 by cable, the beacon module 200 may determine whetherthe terminal 300 connected to the USB connector unit 125 is apre-registered user terminal 300 to perform bidirectional USB datacommunication and may receive valid setting information for specifyingthe use of the Bluetooth-based beacon signal from the user terminal 300through the bidirectional USB data communication. When the valid settinginformation is received from the paired user terminal 300 through thebidirectional USB data communication, the beacon module 200 maybroadcast a Use-specific Bluetooth-based beacon signal that is set bythe setting information, instead of the default beacon signal.

When the setting information received from the user terminal 300 throughat least one of the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication and thebidirectional USB data communication is not confirmed or is confirmedbut not valid, the beacon module 200 may broadcast a defaultBluetooth-based beacon signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the beacon module 200built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 includes a control unit 220configured to control operation of the beacon module 200, a memory unit208 configured to store a set of data (or program code) needed tooperate the beacon module 200, an RF processing unit 212 configured toperform RF processing to perform bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication or broadcast a beacon signal, and an antenna unit 216configured to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal forperforming the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication or transmit aradio frequency signal for broadcasting the beacon signal, and furtherincludes a USB communication unit 204 electrically connected with theUSB connector unit 125 and configured to process the bidirectional USBdata communication.

The beacon module 200 is produced to include one or more surface mountdevices (SMDs) for beacon operation in a printed circuit board (PCB).The control unit 220, the memory unit 208, the RF processing unit 212,and the like may be implemented in the form of an integrated chip havinga beacon function or may be implemented in the form of individualdevices mounted on the PCB or in the form of a combination of anintegrated chip and each of the individual devices.

The control unit 220 collectively refers to an element that isconfigured to control operation of the beacon module 200. The controlunit 220 includes at least one processor and at least one executionmemory and is connected with the elements included in the beacon module200 via a bus. According to the present invention, the control unit 220loads at least one piece of program code included in the beacon module200 and calculates the loaded program code through the processor, andthe control unit 220 delivers a result of the calculation to at leastone of the elements via the bus and controls operation of the beaconmodule 200. For convenience, the configuration of the programimplemented as program code in the beacon module 200 will be shown inthe control unit 220 and described below.

The memory unit 208 collectively refers to a non-volatile memoryincluded in the beacon module 200. The memory unit 208 stores andmaintains at least one piece of program code executed through thecontrol unit 220 and at least one set of data used by the program code.By default, the memory unit 208 stores system program code and a set ofsystem data corresponding to an operating system of the beacon module200 and at least one piece of application program code and at least oneset of application data. In addition, the memory unit 208 may storeprogram code and a set of data corresponding to the program of thepresent invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 208may include a default memory region that stores a set of data forbroadcasting a default Bluetooth-based beacon signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 208may include a use-specific memory region that stores a set of data forbroadcasting a use-specific Bluetooth-based beacon signal that is set bythe setting information received from the user terminal 300 through atleast bidirectional data communication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 208may include a PIN storage region that stores personal identificationnumber (PIN) authentication information for performing a PINauthentication procedure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 208may include an identification information storage region that storesterminal identification information for uniquely identifying the paireduser terminal 300 to perform bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationand/or that stores registered terminal identification information toperform bidirectional USB data communication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory unit 208may store beacon module identification information that allows the userterminal 300 to uniquely identify and authenticate the beacon module200.

The RF processing unit 212 collectively refers to an element thatperforms RF processing (e.g., modulation of radio frequency signals,etc.) to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal through theantenna unit 216. The RF processing unit 212 performs RF processing tobroadcast a beacon signal according to a Bluetooth standard capable ofbroadcasting a beacon signal, which follows Bluetooth Smart, or performsRF processing to perform bidirectional Bluetooth data communication withthe paired user terminal 300.

The USB communication unit 204 may be electrically connected with aconnector (e.g., D+ and/or D−) included in the USB connector unit 125 ofthe cigarette lighter plug device 100 and configured to processbidirectional USB data communication with a pre-registered user terminal300 (e.g., a user's wireless terminal such as a cellular phone, asmartphone, and a tablet PC) among terminals connected to the USBconnector unit 125. The bidirectional USB data communication may includea USB communication function for transmitting and receiving USB packetsand may also include a USB protocol function for allowing an externalterminal connected to the USB connector unit 125 to detect the beaconmodule 200 and prepare for USB communication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the USBcommunication unit 204 maintains electrical connection with theconnector of the USB connector unit 125. However, a bidirectional USBdata communication function of the USB communication unit 204 isselectively activated or deactivated depending on a designatedcondition. When the bidirectional USB data communication function of theUSB communication unit 204 is activated, it is preferable that the USBcommunication unit 204 process bidirectional USB data communication withthe terminal 300 connected to the USB connector unit 125. On the otherhand, when the bidirectional USB data communication function of the USBcommunication unit 204 is deactivated, the USB communication unit 204may not process the bidirectional USB data communication although theuser terminal 300 is connected to the USB connector unit 125.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 includes a terminalregistration unit 224 configured to perform a Bluetooth pairingprocedure and/or a terminal registration procedure to register validterminal identification information of the user terminal 300 in theidentification information storage region, a terminal authenticationunit 228 configured to identify and authenticate the user terminal 300,which performs at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication by using thevalid terminal identification information registered in theidentification information storage region, and a communicationprocessing unit 240 configured to process the bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication or the bidirectional USB data communication with theuser terminal 300 identified and authenticated through the useridentification information. According to an embodiment, the beaconmodule 200 may further include a PIN registration unit 232 configured toreceive PIN authentication information for PIN authentication from theuser terminal 300 through at least one of the bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication and the bidirectional USB data communication andstore the PIN authentication information in the PIN storage region, anda PIN authentication unit 236 configured to perform a PIN authenticationprocedure using the PIN authentication information registered in the PINstorage region if necessary when at least one of the bidirectionalBluetooth data communication and the bidirectional USB datacommunication is established with a user terminal 300 corresponding tothe terminal identification information registered in the identificationinformation storage region.

When a user purchases the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and triesBluetooth pairing between a user terminal 300 of the user and the beaconmodule 200, the terminal registration unit 224 checks whether validterminal identification information is registered in the identificationinformation storage region. The beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 is produced to store a NULL value or temporaryinformation. When the user purchases the cigarette lighter plug device100 and then tries first pairing, the valid terminal identificationinformation is not registered in the identification information storageregion. In this case, the terminal registration unit 224 performs apairing procedure with the user terminal 300 according to the Bluetoothpairing procedure.

When the user installs a specific program 325 on the user terminal 300to communicate with the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100, the terminal registration unit 224 communicates with theprogram 325 of the paired user terminal 300 to check terminalidentification information capable of uniquely identifying andauthenticating the user terminal 300 and stores the checked terminalidentification information in the identification information storageregion. In this case, the terminal identification information mayinclude information for uniquely identifying the user terminal 300 andinformation for uniquely identifying and authenticating even the program325 installed on the user terminal 300. For example, the terminalidentification information may include at least one or a combination ofa terminal identification value for uniquely identifying the userterminal 300, an app identification value for uniquely identifying theprogram 325 mounted on the user terminal 300 to communicate with thebeacon module 200, a key value exchanged between the program 325 of theuser terminal 300 and the beacon module 200, and a authentication valuegenerated using one or more of the values.

When a user purchases the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and connectsthe USB connector of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 with the userterminal 300 of the user by cable, the terminal registration unit 224checks whether valid terminal identification information is registeredin the identification information storage region. When the validterminal identification information is not registered in theidentification information storage region, the terminal registrationunit 224 tries to communicate with the specific program 325 installed onthe user terminal 300 connected by cable. When a specific program forcommunicating with the beacon module 200 is installed on the userterminal 300, the terminal registration unit 224 communicates with theprogram 325 of the user terminal 300 to check the terminalidentification information capable of uniquely identifying andauthenticating the user terminal 300 and stores the checked terminalidentification information in the identification information storageregion.

When valid terminal identification information of the user terminal 300is registered in the identification information storage region throughthe terminal registration unit 224, the terminal authentication unit 228may identify and authenticate the user terminal 300 that establishes atleast one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication by using the terminalidentification information registered in the identification informationstorage region. In this case, the communication processing unit 240 mayprocess the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication or bidirectionalUSB data communication with the authenticated user terminal 300.

When at least one of the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andthe bidirectional USB data communication is established with the userterminal 300, the PIN registration unit 232 checks whether valid PINauthentication information is registered in the PIN storage region. Whenvalid PIN authentication information is not registered in the PINstorage region, the PIN registration unit 232 may receive PINauthentication information through a program 325 of a user terminal 300,with which at least one of the bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and the bidirectional USB data communication isestablished, and store the received PIN authentication information inthe PIN storage region.

When valid PIN authentication information is registered in the PINstorage region, the PIN authentication unit 236 may receive PINinformation from the program 325 of the user terminal 300, with which atleast one of the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication and thebidirectional USB data communication is established, and may perform aPIN authentication procedure for performing authentication by using thePIN authentication information. Preferably, the PIN authentication unit236 may perform the PIN authentication procedure in adding/renewing auser terminal 300, changing important settings of the beacon module 200,or initializing settings of the beacon module 200.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 may include a moduleauthentication processing unit 244 configured to provide beacon moduleidentification information for uniquely identifying and authenticatingthe beacon module 200 to the user terminal 300 when at leastbidirectional data communication is established with the user terminal300.

The module authentication processing unit 244 stores the beacon moduleidentification information for uniquely identifying and authenticatingthe beacon module 200 in a designated storage region of the memory unit208. The beacon module identification information may include a uniquemodule ID that is assigned when the beacon module 200 is produced.According to an embodiment, the module authentication processing unit244 may receive beacon module identification information for uniquelyidentifying and authenticating the beacon module 200 from the userterminal 300 authenticated through the PIN authentication unit 236 andstore the beacon module identification information in the designatedstorage region of the memory unit 208 and/or may store beacon moduleidentification information including a key value obtained by performinga designated key exchange procedure with the program 325 of the userterminal 300 in the designated storage region of the memory unit 208.For example, the beacon module identification information may include amodule ID assigned to the beacon module 200, a key value exchanged withthe terminal, and an authentication value generated by using one or bothof the module ID and the key value.

When at least one of the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andthe bidirectional USB data communication is established with the userterminal 300, the module authentication processing unit 244 may enablethe program 325 of the user terminal 300 to uniquely identify andauthenticate the beacon module 200 by checking the beacon moduleidentification information and providing the beacon moduleidentification information to the user terminal 300.

When the module authentication processing unit 244 is included in thebeacon module 200, the beacon module 200 may authenticate the userterminal 300 (or the program 325 of the user terminal 300) with whichthe bidirectional data communication is established through the terminalauthentication unit 228, and the program 325 of the user terminal 300may perform bidirectional mutual authentication for uniquely identifyingand authenticating the beacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighterplug device 100 through the beacon module identification information. Inthis case, the communication processing unit 240 may transmit or receivevarious kinds of information or data to or from the program 325 of theuser terminal 300 that is mutually authenticated.

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes an information storage unit248 configured to store unique information to be broadcast through abeacon signal and a beacon transmission unit 264 configured to controlbroadcast of the beacon signal including unique information.

The information storage unit 248 may store the unique information to bebroadcast through the beacon signal in the default memory region whenthe beacon module 200 is produced. Alternatively, the informationstorage unit 248 may receive unique information through at least one ofthe bidirectional Bluetooth data communication and the bidirectional USBdata communication and store the received unique information in thedefault memory region.

The beacon transmission unit 264 checks the unique information stored inthe default memory region of the memory unit 208 and allows a defaultbeacon signal including the unique information of the default memoryregion to be broadcast through the RF processing unit 212. Preferably,the beacon transmission unit 264 may allow the beacon signal to bebroadcast at least a certain number of times (or periodically).

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes a code generation unit 260configured to dynamically generate disposable code to be broadcastthrough a beacon signal and a beacon transmission unit 264 configured tocontrol broadcast of the beacon signal including the generateddisposable code. The beacon module 200 further includes a seed storageunit 252 configured to store one or more static seed values forgenerating the disposable code and a seed determination unit 256configured to determine at least one dynamic seed value for generatingthe disposable code.

The seed storage unit 252 may store one or more static seed values forgenerating disposable code in the default memory region when the beaconmodule 200 is produced. Alternatively, the seed storage unit 252 mayreceive one or more static seed values through at least one of thebidirectional Bluetooth data communication and the bidirectional USBdata communication and store the static seed values in the defaultmemory region.

The seed determination unit 256 checks at least one dynamic see value(e.g., a time value, a random value, or the like) when the disposablecode is generated. Depending on the embodiment, the seed determinationunit 256 may receive a dynamic seed value through at least one of thebidirectional Bluetooth data communication and the bidirectional USBdata communication.

The code generation unit 260 uses a designated code generation algorithmto dynamically generate the disposable code to be broadcast through thebeacon signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, thecode generation unit 260 may apply the one or more static seed valuesstored in the default memory region of the memory unit 208 and the atleast one dynamic seed value determined through the seed determinationunit 256 to the designated code generation algorithm in order todynamically generate the disposable code to be broadcast through thebeacon signal.

The beacon transmission unit 264 checks the disposable code that isdynamically generated by the code generation unit 260 and allows adefault beacon signal including the disposable code to be broadcastthrough the RF processing unit 212. Preferably, the beacon transmissionunit 264 may allow the beacon signal to be broadcast at least a certainnumber of times (or periodically).

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes an information storage unit248 configured to store unique information to be broadcast through abeacon signal, a code generation unit 260 configured to dynamicallygenerate disposable code to be broadcast through the beacon signal, anda beacon transmission unit 264 configured to control broadcast of thebeacon signal including the unique information and the disposable code.The beacon module 200 further includes a seed storage unit 252configured to store one or more static seed values for generating thedisposable code and a seed determination unit 256 configured todetermine at least one dynamic seed value for generating the disposablecode.

The code generation unit 260 uses a designated code generation algorithmto dynamically generate disposable code to be broadcast through thebeacon signal. Preferably, the code generation unit 260 may apply theone or more static seed values stored in the default memory region ofthe memory unit 208 and the at least one dynamic seed value determinedthrough the seed determination unit 256 to the designated codegeneration algorithm in order to dynamically generate the disposablecode to be broadcast through the beacon signal.

The beacon transmission unit 264 allows a default beacon signalincluding the unique information and the disposable code to be broadcastthrough the RF processing unit 212 after checking the unique informationthat is stored in the default memory region of the memory unit 208 andchecking the disposable code that is dynamically generated by the codegeneration unit 260. Preferably, the beacon transmission unit 264 mayallow the beacon signal to be broadcast at least a certain number oftimes (or periodically).

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 includes a power check unit268 configured to check whether vehicular power is being supplied from avehicle, a mode setting unit 272 configured to set or confirm theoperation mode to or as a vehicular power mode in which the beaconmodule 200 operates with the vehicular power when it is confirmed thatthe vehicular power is being supplied and configured to set or confirmthe operation mode to or as a charged power mode in which the beaconmodule 200 operates with power charged in the power charging unit 130when it is not confirmed that the vehicular power is being supplied, anda signal control unit 276 configured to amplify a beacon signal to bebroadcast through the RF processing unit 212 and control signal power ofthe beacon signal so that the beacon signal reaches up to a designatedrange outside the vehicle when it is confirmed that the vehicular poweris being supplied.

The power check unit 268 may check whether the vehicular power is beingsupplied from the vehicle to the power supply unit 115 by means of apredetermined sensor (e.g., a current sensor, a voltage sensor, etc.;not shown). Alternatively, the power check unit 268 may check whetherthe vehicular power is being converted by the power conversion unit 120by means of a predetermined sensor (not shown). Alternatively, the powercheck unit 268 may determine whether the cigarette lighter plug device100 is grounded to check whether the vehicular power is being supplied(e.g., when the vehicular power is being supplied, the power is groundedon a vehicular body (or the ground)). Alternatively, the power checkunit 268 may determine whether the body insertion unit 105 is insertedinto the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle by means of apredetermined sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor; not shown) and may checkwhether the vehicular power is being supplied (e.g., when the bodyinsertion unit 105 is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle 375of the vehicle, the vehicular power is supplied unless the vehicle isturned off). Preferably, the power check unit 268 may check whether thevehicular power is being supplied by using at least one or a combinationof the embodiments.

When it is confirmed by the power check unit 268 that the vehicularpower is being supplied, the mode setting unit 272 may set or confirmthe operation mode of the beacon module 200 to or as the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 operates with the vehicular powersupplied from the vehicle.

When it is not confirmed by the power check unit 268 that the vehicularpower is being supplied, the mode setting unit 272 may set or confirmthe operation mode of the beacon module 200 to or as the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 operates with the power charged inthe power charging unit 130.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mode settingunit 272 may set or confirm the operation mode of the beacon module 200built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100 depending on whether thevehicular power is being supplied even when the operation mode of thebeacon module 200 is not set through a separate adjustment unit includedin the cigarette lighter plug device 100.

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is set to or confirmedas the vehicular power mode, the signal control unit 276 may amplify abeacon signal to be broadcast through the RF processing unit 212 (e.g.,to a pre-calculated power or the maximum power) and may control signalpower of the beacon signal so that the beacon signal reaches up to adesignated range outside the vehicle (e.g., within 30 m from thevehicle). Typically, the cigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicleis positioned near a gear shift between a driver seat and a passengerseat. At this position, electromagnetic wave interference caused byvarious kinds of electronic devices included in the vehicle is severe,and also it is difficult for a radio frequency signal transmittedthrough the antenna unit 216 of the beacon module 200 toomni-directionally reach up to a designated range outside the vehiclebecause of metallic material of a vehicular frame or body or variouskinds of blocking films attached to vehicular windows. When the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 is positioned near awindshield of the vehicle, to which a separate blocking film is notattached, it is possible for a radio frequency signal to relativelyeasily transmit through the glass and reach up to the designated regionoutside the vehicle. However, at the position of the cigarette lighterreceptacle 375 included in the vehicle, it is difficult for a radiofrequency signal of the beacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighterplug device 100 to omni-directionally reach up to the designated rangeoutside the vehicle because of the electromagnetic wave interferencecaused by various kinds of electronic devices included in the vehicleand the metallic material of the vehicular frame or body or the blockingfilm attached to the vehicular glass. Accordingly, when the cigarettelighter plug device 100 is inserted into the cigarette lighterreceptacle 375 of the vehicle to receive power from the vehicle, thesignal control unit 276 may allow the beach signal broadcast through theRF processing unit 212 to be amplified to a pre-calculated power (orpower greater than or equal to the low-energy mode) or the maximum powerwithin an available range and transmitted. Thus, it is possible to allowthe beacon signal broadcast by the beacon module 200 to reach up to thedesignated range outside the vehicle while overcoming electromagneticwave interference caused by various kinds of electronic devices includedin the vehicle or interference caused by the metallic material or theblocking film.

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is set to or confirmedas the charged power mode, the signal control unit 276 may allow thebeacon signal broadcast by the RF processing unit 212 to be broadcast inthe low-energy mode. Preferably, the signal control unit 276 may allow abeacon signal broadcast the RF processing unit 212 to be broadcast inthe BLE mode.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 includes a communicationprocessing unit 240 configured to receive setting information forcontrolling the beacon module 200 to selectively broadcast ause-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300, with which atleast one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication is established, and a transmissioncontrol unit 284 configured to control broadcast of a use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to the setting information.

When the beacon module 200 uniquely identifies and authenticates theuser terminal 300 through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication and establishescommunication with the user terminal 300, the communication processingunit 240 receives setting information for controlling the beacon module200 to selectively broadcast a use-specific beacon signal from the userterminal 300, with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished. Preferably, the setting information may include at leastone or a combination of unique information to be included in theuse-specific beacon signal, a seed value for generating disposable codeto be included in the use-specific beacon signal (e.g., one or morestatic seed values and/or at least one dynamic seed value), disposablecode generated to be included in the use-specific beacon signal, and aprotocol structure of the use-specific beacon signal for broadcasting abeacon signal appropriate for a designated use.

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes a communication processingunit 240 configured to receive setting information to be broadcastthrough the use-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication, an information storage unit 248configured to store unique information received for the use-specificbeacon signal, and a beacon transmission unit 264 configured to controlbroadcast of the use-specific beacon signal including the uniqueinformation.

The communication processing unit 240 communicates with the userterminal 300 through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication to receive thesetting information including the unique information to be broadcastthrough the use-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the uniqueinformation received through the communication processing unit 240 maybe a static value for a specific use or may include disposable codegenerated for a specific use by the user terminal (or a designatedserver 370).

The information storage unit 248 may store the unique informationincluded in the setting information received from the user terminal 300through the communication processing unit 240 in the use-specific memoryregion of the memory unit 208.

The transmission control unit 284 may determine whether to broadcast adefault beacon signal based on the information stored in the defaultmemory region or a use-specific beacon signal including the uniqueinformation stored in the use-specific memory region. When it isdetermined to broadcast the use-specific beacon signal, the transmissioncontrol unit 284 allows the use-specific beacon signal to be broadcastthrough the beacon transmission unit 264.

When the transmission control unit 284 determines to broadcast theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon transmission unit 264 checks theunique information stored in the use-specific memory region of thememory unit 208 and allows the use-specific beacon signal including theunique information to be broadcast through the RF processing unit 212.Preferably, the beacon transmission unit 264 may allow the beacon signalto be broadcast at least a certain number of times (or periodically).

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes a communication processingunit 240 configured to receive setting information including one or moreseed values for dynamically generating disposable code to be broadcastthrough the use-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication, a code generation unit 260configured to dynamically generate the disposable code to be broadcastthrough the use-specific beacon signal, and a beacon transmission unit264 configured to control broadcast of the use-specific beacon signalincluding the generated disposable code. Also, the beacon module 200further includes one or both of a seed storage unit 252 configured tostore seed values received for the use-specific beacon signal and a seeddetermination unit 256 configured to determine a seed value forgenerating the disposable code.

The communication processing unit 240 communicates with the userterminal 300 through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication to receive thesetting information including the seed values to be broadcast throughthe use-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300. For example,the communication processing unit 240 may receive a static seed valuefor generating the disposable code and/or a dynamic seed value forgenerating the disposable code.

The seed storage unit 252 may store the one or more seed values includedin the setting information received from the user terminal 300 throughthe communication processing unit 240 in the use-specific memory regionof the memory unit 208. The seed values included in the settinginformation may include a static seed value for dynamically generatingthe disposable code and/or a dynamic seed value determined by the userterminal 300 to generate the disposable code according to an embodiment.

The transmission control unit 284 may determine whether to broadcast adefault beacon signal based on the information stored in the defaultmemory region or a use-specific beacon signal including the disposablecode generated using the seed value stored in the use-specific memoryregion. When it is determined to broadcast the use-specific beaconsignal, the transmission control unit 284 allows the use-specific beaconsignal to be broadcast through the beacon transmission unit 264.

When the transmission control unit 284 determines to broadcast theuse-specific beacon signal, the seed determination unit 256 checks theseed value stored in the use-specific memory region (e.g., a static seedvalue and/or a dynamic seed value) and/or determines a separate dynamicseed value for generating the disposable code. The code generation unit260 uses a designated code generation algorithm to dynamically generatethe disposable code to be broadcast through the use-specific beaconsignal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the codegeneration unit 260 may apply one or more seed values confirmed from theuse-specific memory region of the memory unit 208 and/or the separatedynamic seed value to the code generation algorithm to dynamicallygenerate the disposable code to be broadcast through the use-specificbeacon signal.

The beacon transmission unit 264 checks the disposable code that isdynamically generated by the code generation unit 260 and allows theuse-specific beacon signal including the disposable code to be broadcastthrough the RF processing unit 212. Preferably, the beacon transmissionunit 264 may allow the beacon signal to be broadcast at least a certainnumber of times (or periodically).

Referring to FIG. 2 according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention, the beacon module 200 includes a communication processingunit 240 configured to receive setting information including uniqueinformation to be broadcast through a use-specific beacon signal andincluding one or more seed values for dynamically generating disposablecode to be broadcast through the use-specific beacon signal from theuser terminal 300 through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication, an informationstorage unit 248 configured to store the unique information to bebroadcast through the use-specific beacon signal, a code generation unit260 configured to dynamically generate the disposable code to bebroadcast through the use-specific beacon signal, and a beacontransmission unit 264 configured to control broadcast of theuse-specific beacon signal including the unique information and thedisposable code. Also, the beacon module 200 further includes one orboth of a seed storage unit 252 configured to store seed values receivedfor the use-specific beacon signal and a seed determination unit 256configured to determine a seed value for generating the disposable code.

The communication processing unit 240 communicates with the userterminal 300 through at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication and bidirectional USB data communication to receive thesetting information including the unique information to be broadcastthrough the use-specific beacon signal and the one or more seed valuesfor dynamically generating the disposable code to be broadcast throughthe use-specific beacon signal from the user terminal 300.

The information storage unit 248 may store the unique informationincluded in the setting information received from the user terminal 300through the communication processing unit 240 in the use-specific memoryregion of the memory unit 208.

The seed storage unit 252 may store the one or more seed values includedin the setting information received from the user terminal 300 throughthe communication processing unit 240 in the use-specific memory regionof the memory unit 208. The seed values included in the settinginformation may include a static seed value for dynamically generatingthe disposable code and may include a dynamic seed value determined bythe user terminal 300 to generate the disposable code according to anembodiment.

The transmission control unit 284 may determine whether to broadcast adefault beacon signal based on the information stored in the defaultmemory region or a use-specific beacon signal including the disposablecode generated using the seed value stored in the use-specific memoryregion as well as the unique information stored in the use-specificmemory region. When it is determined to broadcast the use-specificbeacon signal, the transmission control unit 284 allows the use-specificbeacon signal to be broadcast through the beacon transmission unit 264.

When the transmission control unit 284 determines to broadcast theuse-specific beacon signal, the seed determination unit 256 checks theseed value stored in the use-specific memory region (e.g., a static seedvalue and/or a dynamic seed value) and/or determines a separate dynamicseed value for generating the disposable code. The code generation unit260 uses a designated code generation algorithm to dynamically generatethe disposable code to be broadcast through the use-specific beaconsignal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the codegeneration unit 260 may apply one or more seed values confirmed from theuse-specific memory region of the memory unit 208 and/or the separatedynamic seed value to the code generation algorithm to dynamicallygenerate the disposable code to be broadcast through the use-specificbeacon signal.

The beacon transmission unit 264 allows the use-specific beacon signalincluding the unique information and the disposable code to be broadcastthrough the RF processing unit 212 after checking the unique informationthat is stored in the use-specific memory region of the memory unit 208and checking the disposable code that is dynamically generated throughthe code generation unit 260. Preferably, the beacon transmission unit264 may allow the beacon signal to be broadcast at least a certainnumber of times (or periodically).

According to a first use-specific beacon embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission control unit 284 may determine whether tobroadcast a use-specific beacon signal or a default beacon signaldepending on a control command of the user terminal 300, with which atleast one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication is established.

According to a second use-specific beacon embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission control unit 284 may determine whether tobroadcast a use-specific beacon signal or a default beacon signaldepending on whether a USB connection is established or released betweenthe USB connector unit 125 and the user terminal 300 while valid settinginformation is stored in the use-specific memory region according to adesignated scenario. For example, assume that the beacon signalbroadcast through the setting information stored in the use-specificmemory region is a beacon signal specific to a parking location serviceof a designated parking lot. Under this assumption, when a USBconnection is established between the USB connector unit 125 and theuser terminal 300, the transmission control unit 284 may determine thata user is driving a vehicle and then may allow a use-specific beaconsignal for the parking location to be broadcast. On the other hand, whenthe USB connection is released between the USB connector unit 125 andthe user terminal 300 while the use-specific beacon signal is broadcast,the transmission control unit 284 may determine that the user has parkedand exited the vehicle and then may disallow broadcast of or deactivatethe use-specific beacon signal for parking location.

According to a third use-specific beacon embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission control unit 284 may determine whether tobroadcast a use-specific beacon signal or a default beacon signaldepending on whether bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with theuser terminal 300 is possible while valid setting information is storedin the use-specific memory region according to a designated scenario.For example, assume that the beacon signal broadcast through the settinginformation stored in the use-specific memory region is a beacon signalspecific to a parking fee payment service of a designated parking lot.Under this assumption, when bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationwith the user terminal 300 is possible, the transmission control unit284 may determine that the user is driving the vehicle and allow ause-specific beacon signal for parking fee payment to be broadcast.

According to a fourth use-specific beacon embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission control unit 284 may allow transmission ofthe use-specific beacon signal while valid setting information is storedin the use-specific memory region according to a designated scenario.When a designated validity period passes or when a specific signal isreceived from the user terminal 300 through at least one ofbidirectional Bluetooth data communication and bidirectional USB datacommunication, the transmission control unit 284 may disallow broadcastof or deactivate the use-specific beacon signal. For example, assumethat the beacon signal broadcast through the setting information storedin the use-specific memory region is a beacon signal specific to aparking fee payment service of a designated parking lot. Under thisassumption, the transmission control unit 284 allows a use-specificbeacon signal for paying a parking fee to be broadcast while the settinginformation is stored in the use-specific memory region. However, when apayment completion signal for the parking fee is received from the userterminal 300 through the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication, thetransmission control unit 284 may disallow broadcast of or deactivatethe use-specific beacon signal for paying the parking fee.

According to a fifth use-specific beacon embodiment of the presentinvention, the transmission control unit 284 may determine whether tobroadcast a use-specific beacon signal or a default beacon signal bypartially combining at least two or more of the first to fourthuse-specific beacon embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communicationprocessing unit 240 may determine whether a default beacon signal isbeing broadcast through the beacon transmission unit 264 or whether ause-specific beacon signal is being broadcast under the control of thetransmission control unit 284, configure beacon transmission informationfor identifying which of the default beacon signal and the use-specificbeacon signal is being broadcast, and provide the beacon transmissioninformation to the user terminal 300 through at least one ofbidirectional Bluetooth data communication and bidirectional USB datacommunication. Thus, the user terminal 300 may distinguish a beaconsignal being transmitted through the beacon module 200.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beacon module 200 includes a USB control unit280 configured to deactivate bidirectional USB data communication of theUSB communication unit 204 when the beacon module 200 operates withvehicular power and has bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationestablished with the user terminal 300 and activate the bidirectionalUSB data communication of the USB communication unit 204 in other cases.When the bidirectional USB data communication of the USB communicationunit 204 is activated, the communication processing unit 240 may processthe bidirectional USB data communication with the user terminal 300,which is connected to the USB connector unit 125 through the USBcommunication unit 204.

When bidirectional Bluetooth communication between the beacon module 200and the user terminal 300 is possible because a Bluetooth function ofthe user terminal 300 is activated while the operation mode of thebeacon module 200 is set to or confirmed as the vehicular power mode bythe beacon module 200 operating with the vehicular power, the USBcontrol unit 280 may control the USB communication unit 204 todeactivate a bidirectional USB data communication function. That is,when a user inserts the cigarette lighter plug device 100 into thecigarette lighter receptacle 375 of the vehicle and then connects anyexternal device (e.g., a navigation device or the user terminal 300)) tothe USB connector unit 125 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 bycable, the user is likely to intend to supply power to the externaldevice connected by cable by using the cigarette lighter plug device 100as a power supply device. In this case, when bidirectional USB datacommunication is activated between the external device and the beaconmodule 200 whenever the external device is connected to the USBconnector unit 125, there is an inconvenience in that bidirectional USBdata communication is unintentionally activated and now needs to bereleased. Thus, when there is no need for separate data communicationbecause bidirectional Bluetooth data communication is establishedbetween the beacon module 200 and the user terminal 300 while the beaconmodule 200 operates with the vehicular power, the USB control unit 280may ensure that the cigarette lighter plug device 100 operates as apower supply device included in the USB connector unit 125 bydeactivating the bidirectional USB data communication of the USBcommunication unit 204.

On the other hand, when it is not confirmed that the vehicular power isbeing supplied, when the beacon module 200 operates with the chargedpower, or when it is not confirmed that bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication is established with the user terminal 300, the USB controlunit 280 may control activation of the bidirectional USB datacommunication function of the USB communication unit 204. That is, whena user connects the user terminal 300 to the USB connector unit 125 ofthe cigarette lighter plug device 100 by cable while it is not confirmedthat the vehicular power is being supplied, while the beacon module 200operates with the charged power, or while it is not confirmed thatbidirectional Bluetooth data communication is established with the userterminal 300, the USB control unit 280 may register that the userintends to perform bidirectional USB data communication with the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and may control theUSB communication unit 204 to activate the bidirectional USB datacommunication function.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional configurations of the userterminal 300 and the program 325 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal 300 includes a control unit 302,a memory unit 320, a screen output unit 304, a user input unit 306, asound processing unit 308, a cable communication unit 310, a Bluetoothmodule 312, a short-range network communication unit 314, a wirelessnetwork communication unit 316, a universal subscriber identity module(USIM) reader unit 318, a USIM, and a battery for supplying power.

The control unit 302 collectively refers to an element that isconfigured to control operation of the user terminal 300. The controlunit 302 includes at least one processor and at least one executionmemory and is connected with the elements included in the user terminal300 via a bus. According to the present invention, the control unit 302loads at least one piece of program code included in the user terminal300 and calculates the loaded program code through the processor, andthe control unit 302 delivers a result of the calculation to at leastone of the elements via the bus and controls operation of the userterminal 300. For convenience, the configuration of the program 325 ofthe present invention implemented as program code will be shown in thecontrol unit 302 and described below.

The memory unit 320 collectively refers to a non-volatile memorycorresponding to resources stored in the user terminal 300. The memoryunit 320 stores and maintains at least one piece of program codeexecuted through the control unit 302 and at least one set of data usedby the program code. By default, the memory unit 320 stores systemprogram code and a set of system data corresponding to an operatingsystem of the user terminal 300, communication program code and a set ofcommunication data for processing wireless communication connection ofthe user terminal 300, and at least one piece of application programcode and at least one set of application data. In addition, the memoryunit 320 may store program code and a set of data corresponding to theprogram 325 of the present invention.

The screen output unit 304 is composed of a screen output device (e.g.,a liquid crystal display (LCD)) and a driving module for driving thescreen output device. Among various calculation results of the controlunit 302, the screen output unit 304 interoperates with the control unit302 to output a calculation result corresponding to a screen output tothe screen output device.

The user input unit 306 is composed of one or more user input devices(e.g., a button, a keypad, a touchpad, and a touchscreen interoperatingwith the screen output unit 304) and a driving module for driving theuser input devices. The user input unit 306 interoperates with thecontrol unit 302 to input commands for instructing the control unit 302to perform various calculations or input data needed by the control unit302 to perform the calculations.

The sound processing unit 308 is composed of a speaker, a microphone,and a driving module for driving the speaker and the microphone. Amongvarious calculation results of the control unit 302, the soundprocessing unit 308 decodes sound data corresponding to a sound outputand outputs the decoded sound data through the speaker, or encodes soundsignals input through the microphone and delivers the encoded soundsignals to the control unit 302.

The cable communication unit 310 is an element configured to receivepower or provide bidirectional USB data communication by using a wiredcable. The power received through the wired cable is charged in thebattery. The cable communication unit 310 determines whetherbidirectional USB data communication is possible when the connection ismade by cable and processes the bidirectional USB data communication byusing the wired cable when the USB communication is possible.

The Bluetooth module 312 transmits or receives a Bluetooth-based radiofrequency signal in a short range of about 10 m (in the maximum range ofabout 100 m) according to a Bluetooth communication standard.Preferably, the Bluetooth communication standard includes versionshigher than the Bluetooth 4.0, but is not limited thereto. The Bluetoothmodule 312 may transmit or receive a Bluetooth-based radio frequencysignal according to versions lower than Bluetooth 4.0. The Bluetoothmodule 312 may process bidirectional Bluetooth data communication withthe beacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100.

The wireless network communication unit 316 and the short-range networkcommunication unit 314 collectively refer to communication resources forconnecting the user terminal 300 to a designated communication network.The wireless network communication unit 316 collectively refers tocommunication resources for connecting the user terminal 300 to awireless communication network via a base station. The wireless networkcommunication unit 316 includes at least an antenna for transmitting orreceiving a radio frequency signal having a specific frequency hand, anRF module, a baseband module, and a signal processing module. Thewireless network communication unit 316 is connected with the controlunit 302 to transmit a calculation result corresponding to wirelesscommunication among various calculation results of the control unit 302or receive data over the wireless communication network and deliver thedata to the control unit 302. Also, the wireless network communicationunit 316 performs a procedure for connection, registration,communication, and handoff of the wireless communication. According tothe present invention, the wireless network communication unit 316 mayconnect the user terminal 300 to a communication network including acommunication channel and a data channel via an exchanger. In somecases, the wireless network communication unit 316 may connect the userterminal 300 to a data network for providing apacket-communication-based wireless network data communication (e.g.,the Internet), not via the exchanger.

The short-range network communication unit 314 collectively refers tocommunication resources for establishing a communication session byusing a radio frequency signal as communication means within a certaindistance (e.g., 10 m) and connecting the user terminal to acommunication network. Preferably, the short-range network communicationunit 314 may connect the user terminal 300 to the communication networkthrough at least WiFi communication, public wireless communication,and/or ultra-wideband (UWB) communication. According to an embodiment ofthe present invention, the short-range network communication unit 314may be integrated with or separated from the wireless networkcommunication unit 316. According to the present invention, theshort-range network communication unit 314 connects the user terminal300 to a data network for providing packet-communication-basedshort-range wireless data communication over a wireless access point(AP).

The USIM reader unit 318 collectively refers to an element forexchanging at least one set of data with a USIM mounted on or attachableto the user terminal 300 on the basis of the ISO/IEC 7816 standard. Theset of data is exchanged through an application protocol data unit(APDU) in a half-duplex communication scheme.

The control unit 302 may download a program 325 interoperating with thebeacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and storedata networks to which the communication resources are connectable inthe memory unit 320. Subsequently, when the program 325 is executed, thecontrol unit 302 may perform the operation according to the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 includes acommunication establishment unit 330 for establishing bidirectional datacommunication with the beacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighterplug device 100 through at least bidirectional USB data communicationperformed by a cable connection with the USB connector unit 125 includedin the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication using a Bluetooth communication function of thebeacon module 200.

The communication establishment unit 330 checks a paired beacon module200 through the Bluetooth module 312 and establishes bidirectionalBluetooth data communication with the paired beacon module 200 throughthe Bluetooth module 312.

When the cable communication unit 310 and the USB connector unit 125 ofthe cigarette lighter plug device 100 are connected by cable and abidirectional USB data communication function of the beacon module 200is activated, the communication establishment unit 330 may detect thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100 throughbidirectional USB data communication using the cable and may establishthe bidirectional USB data communication with the beacon module 200.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when thecommunication establishment unit 330 is paired with the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 through the Bluetoothmodule 312, the communication establishment unit 330 preferentiallyestablishes bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with the beaconmodule 200. When the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication is notpossible, the communication establishment unit 330 may selectivelyestablish bidirectional USB data communication with the beacon module200.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 includes aPIN authentication procedure unit 335 configured to perform a procedureof registering PIN authentication information in the beacon module 200of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and/or a PIN authenticationprocedure using the PIN authentication information of the beacon module200.

When at least one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication is established with the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 through thecommunication establishment unit 330, and valid PIN authenticationinformation is not registered in a PIN storage region of the beaconmodule 200, the PIN authentication procedure unit 335 may perform aprocedure of registering the PIN authentication information in thebeacon module 200, with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished.

When the PIN authentication information is registered in the beaconmodule 200, with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, the PIN authentication procedure unit 335 may receive PINinformation from a user and perform a PIN authentication procedure usingthe PIN authentication information of the beacon module 200 in order toadd/renew a user terminal 300 according to a designated scenario, changeimportable settings of the beacon module 200 or initialize the settingsof the beacon module 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 includes aterminal authentication procedure unit 340 configured to perform aprocedure of registering terminal identification information of the userterminal 300 (or the program 325) in the beacon module 200 by using thebidirectional data communication when the terminal identificationinformation of the user terminal 300 (or the program 325) is notregistered in the beacon module 200 with which the bidirectional datacommunication is established and configured to perform a procedure ofproviding the terminal identification information to the beacon module200 through the bidirectional data communication and authenticatingvalidity of the user terminal 300 (or the program 325) through thebeacon module 200 when the terminal identification information of theuser terminal 300 (or the program 325) is registered in the beaconmodule 200 with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished.

When valid terminal identification information of the user terminal 300is not registered in the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished through the communication establishment unit 330 or whenterminal identification information is added/renewed in the beaconmodule 200 as a result of the PIN authentication, the terminalauthentication procedure unit 340 configures terminal identificationinformation for uniquely identifying and authenticating the userterminal 300 (or the program 325) and provides the terminalidentification information to the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100, with which the bidirectional data communicationis established. The beacon module 200 stores the terminal identificationinformation in a designated identification information storage region.

When valid terminal identification information is registered in thebeacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 with whichthe bidirectional data communication is established through thecommunication establishment unit 330, the terminal authenticationprocedure unit 340 provides the terminal identification information forauthenticating validity of the user terminal 300 (or the program 325) tothe beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 withwhich the bidirectional data communication is established. The beaconmodule 200 authenticates the validity of the terminal identificationinformation by using the terminal identification information registeredin the designated identification information storage region andtransmits a result of the authentication as a response.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 authenticates thevalidity of the user terminal 300 (or the program 325) through theterminal identification information, it is possible to transmit orreceive various kinds of information or data through the bidirectionaldata communication between the beacon module 200 and the user terminal300.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 includes amodule authentication procedure unit 345 configured to perform aprocedure of registering beacon module identification information of thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100 in thememory unit 320 of the user terminal 300 by using the bidirectional datacommunication when the beacon module identification information of thebeacon module 200 is not registered in the memory unit 320 of the userterminal 300 and configured to perform a procedure of receiving thebeacon module identification information of the beacon module 200 builtin the cigarette lighter plug device 100 through the bidirectional datacommunication and authenticate validity of the beacon module 200 whenthe beacon module identification information of the beacon module 200 isregistered in the memory unit 320 of the user terminal 300.

When the beacon module identification information for uniquelyidentifying and authenticating the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 is not stored in a designated storage region ofthe user terminal 300, the module authentication procedure unit 345receives beacon module identification information of the beacon module200 from the beacon module 200 with which the bidirectional datacommunication is established or generates beacon module identificationinformation for uniquely identifying and authenticating the beaconmodule 200 with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, provides the generated beacon module identificationinformation to the beacon module 200, and stores the generated beaconmodule identification information in the designated storage region.Preferably, the beacon module identification information may beencrypted and stored.

When the beacon module identification information is stored in thedesignated storage region of the user terminal 300, the moduleauthentication procedure unit 345 receives beacon module identificationinformation from the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100, with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, and authenticates validity of the received beacon moduleidentification information by using the beacon module identificationinformation stored in the designated storage region.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the moduleauthentication procedure unit 345 authenticates the validity of thebeacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 with whichthe bidirectional data communication is established by using the beaconmodule identification information, it is possible to transmit or receivevarious kinds of information or data through the bidirectional datacommunication between the beacon module 200 and the user terminal 300.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 mayinclude an information generation unit 350 configured to generatesetting information for controlling broadcast of a use-specific beaconsignal through the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished and a communication procedure unit 355 configured to providethe setting information to the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 through the bidirectional data communication.When the authentication procedures performed through the terminalauthentication procedure unit 340 and/or the module authenticationprocedure unit 345 is successful, the communication procedure unit 355performs a procedure of transmitting or receiving various kinds ofinformation or data to or from the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100.

Before, while, or after the communication is established with the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 through thecommunication establishment unit 330, the information generation unit350 generates the setting information for controlling broadcast of theuse-specific beacon signal through the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100 by using at least one or a combinationof information input from a user and information received from adesignated server 370.

When the setting information for controlling broadcast of theuse-specific beacon signal through the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100 is generated by the informationgeneration unit 350, the communication procedure unit 355 provides thesetting information to the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighterplug device 100 with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, and the beacon module 200 performs control to broadcast ause-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting information.

Referring to FIG. 3, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 includes acommunication procedure unit 355 configured to receive beacontransmission information for identifying any one of a default beaconsignal and a use-specific beacon signal from the beacon module 200 ofthe cigarette lighter plug device 100 when the setting information isprovided to the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device100, a signal determination unit 360 configured to read the beacontransmission information and determine whether a use-specific beaconsignal corresponding to the setting information is being broadcastthrough the beacon module 200, and an information output unit 365configured to output information indicating that the use-specific beaconsignal is being broadcast or indicating that the broadcasting isstopped.

According to a first beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, when the setting information is provided to the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, the communicationprocedure unit 355 receives beacon transmission information fordetermining whether the default beacon signal or the use-specific beaconsignal corresponding to the setting information is being broadcastthrough the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100,and the signal determination unit 360 reads the received beacontransmission information and determines whether the default beaconsignal or the use-specific beacon signal corresponding to the settinginformation is being broadcast through the beacon module 200.

When a result of reading the beacon transmission information is that thedefault beacon signal is being broadcast through the beacon module 200of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, the information output unit365 outputs information corresponding to the broadcast of the defaultbeacon signal (or the stop of the broadcasting of the use-specificbeacon signal). When a result of reading the beacon transmissioninformation is that the use-specific beacon signal corresponding to thesetting information is being broadcast through the beacon module 200 ofthe cigarette lighter plug device 100, the information output unit 365outputs information corresponding to the broadcast of the use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to the setting information.

When the setting information is provided to the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100, but the use-specific beacon signal isnot transmitted through the beacon module 200, the communicationprocedure unit 355 may provide the setting information for broadcastingthe use-specific beacon signal to the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 through the bidirectional data communicationagain.

According to a second beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, when the setting information is provided to the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, the signal determinationunit 360 may interoperate with the Bluetooth module 312 to check abeacon signal transmitted through the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 and received by the Bluetooth module 312 (e.g.,the beacon signal being capable of being transmitted without pairing andeven being received by the Bluetooth module 312 of the user terminal300), read the beacon signal transmitted through the beacon module 200,and determine whether the default beacon signal or the use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to the setting information is beingbroadcast through the beacon module 200.

When a result of reading the beacon signal transmitted from the beaconmodule 200 is that the default beacon signal is being broadcast throughthe beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, theinformation output unit 365 outputs information corresponding to thebroadcast of the default beacon signal (or the stopping of the broadcastof the use-specific beacon signal). On the other hand, when a result ofreading the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon module 200 is thatthe use-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting informationis being broadcast through the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100, the information output unit 365 outputsinformation corresponding to the broadcast of the use-specific beaconsignal corresponding to the setting information.

When the setting information is provided to the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100, but the use-specific beacon signal isnot transmitted through the beacon module 200, the communicationprocedure unit 355 may provide the setting information for broadcastingthe use-specific beacon signal to the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 through the bidirectional data communicationagain.

According to a third beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, when bidirectional USB data communication is establishedbetween the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100and the user terminal 300 and the setting information is provided to thebeacon module 200 through the bidirectional USB data communication, thesignal determination unit 360 checks whether a cable is removed from theUSB connector unit 125 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 torelease a cable connection or whether the cable is removed from thecable communication unit 310 to release the cable connection.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 may automatically stopbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal when the cable connection isreleased. In this case, when the cable connection is released, thesignal determination unit 360 may determine to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting informationthrough the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100,and the information output unit 365 may output information correspondingto the broadcast of the default beacon signal (or the stopping of thebroadcast of the use-specific beacon signal).

As a modification of the third beacon determination embodiment, thesignal determination unit 360 may check whether bidirectional USB datacommunication is possible between the beacon module 200 and the userterminal 300. When the beacon module is set to automatically stopbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal when the bidirectional USBdata communication is not possible, the signal determination unit 360may check whether bidirectional USB data communication between thebeacon module 200 and the user terminal 300 is possible and maydetermine to stop broadcasting the use-specific beacon signal throughthe beacon module 200 when the bidirectional USB data communication isnot possible, and the information output unit 365 may output informationcorresponding to the broadcast of the default beacon signal (or thestopping of the broadcast of the use-specific beacon signal).

According to a fourth beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, when bidirectional Bluetooth data communication isestablished between the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 and the user terminal 300 and the setting information isprovided to the beacon module 200 through the bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication, the signal determination unit 360 may check whetherthe bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with the beacon module200 is possible.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 may automatically stopbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal when the bidirectionalBluetooth data communication is not possible. In this case, when thebidirectional Bluetooth data communication is not possible, the signaldetermination unit 360 may determine that the use-specific beacon signalcorresponding to the setting information has stopped being broadcastthrough the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100,and the information output unit 365 may output information correspondingto the broadcast of the default beacon signal (or the stop of thebroadcasting of the use-specific beacon signal).

According to a fifth beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, the signal determination unit 360 may determine whether thedefault beacon signal is being broadcast through the beacon module 200of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 (or whether the use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to the setting information has stopped beingbroadcast) or whether the use-specific beacon signal corresponding tothe setting information is being broadcast through the beacon module 200of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, but is not limited thereto.

In another beacon determination embodiment of the present invention, thecommunication procedure unit 355 may configure transmission stopinformation for requesting the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 to stop broadcasting a use-specific beaconsignal and provide the transmission stop information to the beaconmodule 200 according to a user's manipulation (or reception ofinformation from a designated server 370), and the beacon module 200 mayreceive the transmission stop information and stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal on the basis of the transmission stopinformation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mode setting/checking process of thebeacon module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a process of automatically setting/switchingthe operation mode of the beacon module 200 built in the cigarettelighter plug device 100 to the vehicular power supply mode or thecharged power supply mode depending on supply of vehicular power orsupply of charged power. Various embodiments of the modesetting/checking process for the beacon module 200 (e.g., an embodimentin which some steps are omitted or steps are performed in a differentorder) can be readily inferred by those skilled in the art referencingand/or modifying FIG. 4. However, the present invention is intended tocover all of the inferred embodiments, and the technical features of thepresent invention are not limited to only the embodiment shown in FIG.4.

Referring to FIG. 4, when operating power is being supplied to thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100 (400),the beacon module 200 checks whether power is being supplied from avehicle (405). When power is being supplied from the vehicle, the beaconmodule 200 sets or confirms the operation mode to or as the vehicularpower mode (410).

When the operating power is not supplied from the vehicle, but powercharged in the power charging unit 130 is being supplied, the beaconmodule 200 sets or confirms the operation mode to or as the chargedpower mode (415).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of registering terminalidentification information and beacon module identification informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a process of registering terminalidentification information of the user terminal 300 in theidentification information storage region of the beacon module 200 whenat least one of bidirectional Bluetooth data communication andbidirectional USB data communication is established between the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and the userterminal 300. Various embodiments of the terminal identificationinformation registration process checking process (e.g., an embodimentin which some steps are omitted or steps are performed in a differentorder) can be readily inferred by those skilled in the art referencingand/or modifying FIG. 5. However, the present invention is intended tocover all of the inferred embodiments, and technical features thereofare not limited to only the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 checks communication established with the user terminal 300through at least bidirectional USB data communication or bidirectionalBluetooth data communication while the beacon module 200 operates withthe vehicular power or the power charged in the power charging unit 130(500), and the program 325 of the user terminal 300 checks communicationestablished with the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 through at least the bidirectional USB data communication orthe bidirectional Bluetooth data communication (500).

When the bidirectional data communication is established between thebeacon module 200 and the user terminal 300, the beacon module 200checks whether valid terminal identification information is registeredin the designated identification information storage region. When validterminal identification information is not registered in theidentification information storage region, the beacon module 200 mayrequest terminal identification information from the user terminal 300through the bidirectional data communication.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, whendirectional data communication is established with the beacon module200, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 checks whether validterminal identification information of the user terminal 300 (or theprogram 325) is registered in the beacon module 200 (515). When theprogram 325 is first executed or there is no history about previouslyregistered terminal identification information, the program 325 of theuser terminal 300 may confirm that valid terminal identificationinformation is not registered in the beacon module 200.

When the terminal identification information is requested by beaconmodule 200 or when the program 325 of the user terminal 300 determinesthat its own valid terminal identification information is not registeredin the beacon module 200, the program 325 of the user terminal 300configures valid terminal identification information of the userterminal 300 (or the program 325) (520) and performs a procedure ofproviding the terminal identification information to the beacon module200 through the bidirectional data communication (525). The beaconmodule 200 receives the terminal identification information through thebidirectional data communication and stores the terminal identificationinformation in the identification information storage region (530).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when validterminal identification information is registered in the identificationinformation storage region of the beacon module 200 and the terminalidentification information in the identification information storageregion is renewed or added, the terminal identification information maybe registered in the beacon module 200 after a PIN authenticationprocedure is performed using PIN authentication information registeredin the PIN storage region of the beacon module through a user terminal300 corresponding to the valid terminal identification informationregistered in the identification information storage region of thebeacon module 200.

When the terminal identification information is registered in the beaconmodule 200 or when bidirectional data communication is established withthe beacon module 200, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 checkswhether beacon module identification information of the beacon module200 is stored in the memory unit 320 of the user terminal 300 (535).When the beacon module identification information is not stored, theprogram 325 of the user terminal 300 may request and check beacon moduleidentification information registered in the beacon module 200 throughthe bidirectional data communication (540), and the beacon module 200may provide the registered beacon module identification information tothe user terminal 300 through the bidirectional data communication inresponse to the request from the user terminal 300 (540). According toanother embodiment of the present invention, the program 325 of the userterminal 300 may determine predetermined beacon module identificationinformation to be set in the beacon module 200 and provide the beaconmodule identification information to the beacon module 200 through thebidirectional data communication (540), and the beacon module 200 mayreceive the beacon module identification information through thebidirectional data communication and store the received beacon moduleidentification information (540). The program 325 of the user terminal300 stores the beacon module identification information registered/setin the beacon module 200 in the memory unit 320 (545).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a process of authenticating the userterminal 300 and a process of authenticating the beacon module 200according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a process of performing mutual authenticationbetween the program 325 of the user terminal and the beacon module 200by using various kinds of information when valid terminal identificationinformation of the user terminal 300 and valid beacon moduleidentification information of the beacon module 200 is registered in thebeacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 and the userterminal 300 through the process shown in FIG. 5, respectively. Variousembodiments of the processes of authenticating the user terminal 300 andthe beacon module 200 (e.g., an embodiment in which some steps areomitted or steps are performed in a different order) can be readilyinferred by those skilled in the art referencing and/or modifying FIG.6. However, the present invention is intended to cover all of theinferred embodiments, and technical features thereof are not limited toonly the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, when valid terminal identification information ofthe user terminal 300 (or the program 325) is registered in the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100, the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 provides terminal identification information foruniquely identifying and authenticating the user terminal 300 (or theprogram 325) to the beacon module 200 through bidirectional datacommunication (600), and the beacon module 200 receives the terminalidentification information from the program 325 of the user terminal 300through bidirectional data communication (605).

The beacon module 200 authenticates validity of the terminalidentification information received from the user terminal 300 by usingthe terminal identification information registered in the identificationinformation storage region (610). When the validity of the terminalidentification information is not authenticated, the beacon module 200provides a result of the authentication including an authenticationerror to the program 325 of the user terminal 300 (615). When thevalidity of the terminal identification information is authenticated,the beacon module 200 provides a result of the authenticationcorresponding to authentication success for the terminal authenticationinformation to the program 325 of the user terminal 300 (615). When thevalidity of the terminal identification information is authenticated,the beacon module 200 may receive setting information for broadcasting ause-specific beacon signal from the program 325 of the authenticateduser terminal 300.

The program 325 of the user terminal 300 receives and reads the resultof the authentication of the terminal identification information (620).When the validity of the terminal identification information is notauthenticated, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 outputs anauthentication error (625). On the other hand, when the validity of theterminal identification information is authenticated, the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 may provide setting information for controllingbroadcast of a use-specific beacon signal through the beacon module 200.

The program 325 of the user terminal 300 checks whether beacon moduleidentification information of the beacon module 200, with which thebidirectional data communication is established, is stored in adesignated storage region of the user terminal 300 (630). When thebeacon module identification information of the beacon module 200 is notstored, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may perform a procedureof setting/registering the beacon module identification informationthrough the process shown in FIG. 5. When the beacon moduleidentification information of the beacon module 200 is stored in thedesignated storage region of the user terminal 300, the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 requests beacon module identification informationfrom the beacon module 200 through bidirectional data communication(635), and the beacon module 200 confirms the beacon moduleidentification information (640) and provide the beacon moduleidentification information to the program 325 of the user terminal 300(645).

The program 325 of the user terminal 300 authenticates validity of thebeacon module identification information received from the beacon module200 by using the beacon module identification information stored in thedesignated storage region (650). When the validity of the beacon moduleidentification information is not authenticated, the program 325 of theuser terminal 300 outputs an authentication error (625).

When the validity of the beacon module identification information isauthenticated, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 provides aresult of the authentication of the beacon module identificationinformation to the beacon module 200 (655). The beacon module 200 mayreceive the result of the authentication of the beacon moduleidentification information from the program 325 of the user terminal 300(660) and then receive setting information for broadcasting ause-specific beacon signal from the program 325 of the user terminal300.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcasting process of thebeacon module 200 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

Specifically, FIG. 7 shows a process of selectively broadcasting adefault beacon signal including unique information of the beacon module200 according to a power supply state and broadcasting a use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to setting information when the settinginformation is received from the program 325 of the user terminal 300authenticated through the process shown in FIG. 6. Various embodimentsof the beacon signal broadcasting process of the beacon module 200(e.g., an embodiment in which some steps are omitted or steps areperformed in a different order) can be readily inferred by those skilledin the art referencing and/or modifying FIG. 7. However, the presentinvention is intended to cover all of the inferred embodiments, andtechnical features thereof are not limited to only the embodiment shownin FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, when operating power is being supplied to thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100, thebeacon module 200 checks unique information stored in a default memoryregion (700) and generates a default beacon signal including the uniqueinformation (705).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies the defaultbeacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or the maximum availablepower) by using the power supplied from the vehicle and broadcasts theamplified default beacon signal (710).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the default beacon signal in the low-energy mode (715).

The beacon module 200 checks whether setting information generatedthrough a process shown in FIG. 10 is received from the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 authenticated through the process shown in FIG. 6(720). When the setting information is not received, the beacon module200 repeats the process of broadcasting the default beacon signal atleast a predetermined number of times or periodically.

When the setting information is received from the program 325 of theauthenticated user terminal 300, the beacon module 200 storesvalues/information included in the setting information in a designateduse-specific memory region (725) and generates a use-specific beaconsignal including unique information of the setting information and/orincluding disposable code dynamically generated using the valuesincluded in the setting information (730).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies theuse-specific beacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or themaximum available power) by using the power supplied from the vehicleand broadcasts the amplified use-specific beacon signal (735).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the use-specific beacon signal in the low-energy mode (740).

The beacon module 200 determines whether to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal while broadcasting the use-specific beaconsignal (745). When it is determined not to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 repeats the process ofbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal at least a predeterminednumber of times or periodically.

On the other hand, when it is determined to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 performs the processof broadcasting the default beacon signal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcasting process of thebeacon module 200 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

Specifically, FIG. 8 shows a process of selectively broadcasting adefault beacon signal including disposable code generated by the beaconmodule 200 and broadcasting a use-specific beacon signal correspondingto setting information when the setting information is received from theprogram 325 of the user terminal 300 authenticated through the processshown in FIG. 6. Various embodiments of the beacon signal broadcastingprocess of the beacon module 200 (e.g., an embodiment in which somesteps are omitted or steps are performed in a different order) can bereadily inferred by those skilled in the art referencing and/ormodifying FIG. 8. However, the present invention is intended to coverall of the inferred embodiments, and technical features thereof are notlimited to only the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, when operating power is being supplied to thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100, thebeacon module 200 checks one or more static seed value stored in adefault memory region (800), determines at least one dynamic seed valuefor generating disposable code (805), and applies the one or more staticseed values and the at least one dynamic seed value to a designated codegeneration algorithm to dynamically generate the disposable code (810).When the disposable code is generated, the beacon module 200 generates adefault beacon signal including the disposable code (815).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies the defaultbeacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or the maximum availablepower) by using the power supplied from the vehicle and broadcasts theamplified default beacon signal (820).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the default beacon signal in a low-energy mode (825).

The beacon module 200 checks whether setting information generatedthrough a process shown in FIG. 10 is received from the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 authenticated through the process shown in FIG. 6(830). When the setting information is not received, the beacon module200 repeats the process of broadcasting the default beacon signal atleast a predetermined number of times or periodically.

When the setting information is received from the program 325 of theauthenticated user terminal 300, the beacon module 200 storesvalues/information included in the setting information in a designateduse-specific memory region (835) and generates a use-specific beaconsignal including unique information of the setting information and/orincluding disposable code dynamically generated using the valuesincluded in the setting information (840).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies theuse-specific beacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or themaximum available power) by using the power supplied from the vehicleand broadcasts the amplified use-specific beacon signal (845).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the use-specific beacon signal in the low-energy mode (850).

The beacon module 200 determines whether to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal while broadcasting the use-specific beaconsignal (855). When it is determined not to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 repeats the process ofbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal at least a predeterminednumber of times or periodically.

On the other hand, when it is determined to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 performs the processof broadcasting the default beacon signal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a beacon signal broadcasting process of thebeacon module 200 according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

Specifically, FIG. 9 shows a process of selectively broadcasting adefault beacon signal including unique information of the beacon module200 and including disposable code generated by the beacon module 200according to a power supply state and broadcasting a use-specific beaconsignal corresponding to setting information when the setting informationis received from the program 325 of the user terminal 300 authenticatedthrough the process shown in FIG. 6. Various embodiments of the beaconsignal broadcasting process of the beacon module 200 (e.g., anembodiment in which some steps are omitted or steps are performed in adifferent order) can be readily inferred by those skilled in the artreferencing and/or modifying FIG. 9. However, the present invention isintended to cover all of the inferred embodiments, and technicalfeatures thereof are not limited to only the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, when operating power is being supplied to thebeacon module 200 built in the cigarette lighter plug device 100, thebeacon module 200 checks unique information stored in a default memoryregion (900). The beacon module 200 checks one or more static seed valuestored in the default memory region (905), determines at least onedynamic seed value for generating disposable code (910), and applies theone or more static seed values and the at least one dynamic seed valueto a designated code generation algorithm to dynamically generate thedisposable code (915). When the disposable code is generated, the beaconmodule 200 generates a default beacon signal including the disposablecode (920).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies the defaultbeacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or the maximum availablepower) by using the power supplied from the vehicle and broadcasts theamplified default beacon signal (925).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the default beacon signal in the low-energy mode (930).

The beacon module 200 checks whether setting information generatedthrough a process shown in FIG. 10 is received from the program 325 ofthe user terminal 300 authenticated through the process shown in FIG. 6(935). When the setting information is not received, the beacon module200 repeats the process of broadcasting the default beacon signal atleast a predetermined number of times or periodically.

When the setting information is received from the program 325 of theauthenticated user terminal 300, the beacon module 200 storesvalues/information included in the setting information in a designateduse-specific memory region (940) and generates a use-specific beaconsignal including unique information of the setting information and/orincluding disposable code dynamically generated using the valuesincluded in the setting information (945).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power from the vehicle andoperates with the power, the beacon module 200 amplifies theuse-specific beacon signal (e.g., to a pre-calculated power or themaximum available power) by using the power supplied from the vehicleand broadcasts the amplified use-specific beacon signal (950).

When the operation mode of the beacon module 200 is the charged powermode, in which the beacon module 200 receives power charged in the powercharging unit 130 and operates with the power, the beacon module 200broadcasts the use-specific beacon signal in the low-energy mode (955).

The beacon module 200 determines whether to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal while broadcasting the use-specific beaconsignal (960). When it is determined not to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 repeats the process ofbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal at least a predeterminednumber of times or periodically.

On the other hand, when it is determined to stop broadcasting theuse-specific beacon signal, the beacon module 200 performs the processof broadcasting the default beacon signal.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a process of providing setting informationfor broadcasting a use-specific beacon signal according to an embodimentof the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a process of enabling the beacon module 200to broadcast a use-specific beacon signal as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 bythe program 325 of the user terminal 300 which is authenticated throughthe process shown in FIG. 6, generating setting information andproviding the setting information to the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100. Various embodiments of the settinginformation providing process (e.g., an embodiment in which some stepsare omitted or steps are performed in a different order) can be readilyinferred by those skilled in the art referencing and/or modifying FIG.10. However, the present invention is intended to cover all of theinferred embodiments, and technical features thereof are not limited toonly the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 generatessetting information for controlling broadcast of a use-specific beaconsignal through the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100. The program 325 of the user terminal 300 may generate thesetting information before performing authentication through the processshown in FIG. 6. However, preferably, the program 325 of the userterminal 300 may generate the setting information after performingauthentication through the process shown in FIG. 6. The settinginformation may be generated by at least one or a combination ofinformation input through a user's manipulation and information receivedfrom a designated server 370.

When the setting information is generated, the program 325 of the userterminal 300 may provide the setting information to the beacon module200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 with which communication isestablished (1005), and the beacon module 200 may broadcast ause-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting informationthrough the processes shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

The program 325 of the user terminal 300 provides the settinginformation to the beacon module 200 and then checks whether theuse-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting information isbeing broadcast through the beacon module 200 (1010).

According to a first beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may receive beacontransmission information for determining whether the default beaconsignal or the use-specific beacon signal corresponding to the settinginformation is being broadcast through the beacon module 200 of the userterminal 300 from the beacon module 200, read the received beacontransmission information, and determine whether the default beaconsignal or the use-specific beacon signal corresponding to the settinginformation is being broadcast through the beacon module 200.

According to a second beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may interoperatewith the Bluetooth module 312 of the user terminal 300 to check a beaconsignal transmitted through the beacon module 200 of the cigarettelighter plug device 100 and received by the Bluetooth module 312 (e.g.,the beacon signal being capable of being broadcast without pairing andeven received by the Bluetooth module 312 of the user terminal 300),read the beacon signal transmitted through the beacon module 200,determine whether the default beacon signal or the use-specific beaconsignal corresponding to the setting information is being broadcastthrough the beacon module 200.

According to a third beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, when bidirectional USB data communication is establishedbetween the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100and the user terminal 300, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 maycheck whether a cable connection is release by checking whether a cableis disconnected from the USB connector unit 125 of the cigarette lighterplug device 100 or from the cable communication unit 310. When the cableconnection is released, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 maydetermine that the use-specific beacon signal corresponding to thesetting information has stopped being broadcast through the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100.

According to a fourth beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may check whetherbidirectional Bluetooth data communication with the beacon module 200 ispossible. When the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication is notpossible, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may determine thatthe use-specific beacon signal corresponding to the setting informationhas stopped being broadcast through the beacon module 200 of thecigarette lighter plug device 100.

According to a fifth beacon determination embodiment of the presentinvention, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 may determinewhether the default beacon signal is being broadcast through the beaconmodule 200 of the cigarette lighter plug device 100 (or whether to stopbroadcasting the use-specific beacon signal) or whether the use-specificbeacon signal corresponding to the setting information is beingbroadcast by combining the first to fourth beacon determinationembodiments. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When it is determined that the use-specific beacon signal is beingbroadcast through the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 according to the first to fifth beacon determinationembodiments, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 outputsinformation corresponding to the broadcast of the use-specific beaconsignal (1015).

When it is determined to stop broadcasting the use-specific beaconsignal through the beacon module 200 of the cigarette lighter plugdevice 100 according to the first to fifth beacon determinationembodiments, the program 325 of the user terminal 300 outputsinformation corresponding to the stopping of the broadcast of theuse-specific beacon signal (or corresponding to the broadcast of thedefault beacon signal) (1020).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process of selectivelyactivating/deactivating a bidirectional USB data communication functionof the beacon module 200 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Specifically, FIG. 11 shows a process of selectively activating ordeactivating a bidirectional USB data communication function of thebeacon module 200 according to a power supply state of the beacon module200 and depending on whether bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationis possible. Various embodiments of the process ofactivating/deactivating a bidirectional USB data communication functionof the beacon module 200 (e.g., an embodiment in which some steps areomitted or steps are performed in a different order) can be readilyinferred by those skilled in the art referencing and/or modifying FIG.11. However, the present invention is intended to cover all of theinferred embodiments, and technical features thereof are not limited toonly the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the operation mode of the beacon module 200is set to or confirmed as one of the vehicular power mode and thecharged power mode through the process shown in FIG. 4, first, thebeacon module 200 performs a procedure of confirming a Bluetooth-paireduser terminal 300 (1100). When the paired user terminal 300 isconfirmed, the beacon module 200 establishes bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication with the paired user terminal 300 (1105). When theoperation mode of the beacon module 200 is the vehicular power modewhile or after the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication isestablished with the user terminal 300, that is, when the bidirectionalBluetooth data communication is established in the vehicular power mode,the beacon module 200 deactivates the bidirectional USB datacommunication function (1110).

When the paired user terminal 300 is not confirmed (e.g., when thepaired user terminal 300 goes beyond a bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication range or when a Bluetooth function of the user terminal300 is deactivated) or when bidirectional Bluetooth data communicationis established with the paired user terminal 300 but the operation modeis not the vehicular power mode, the beacon module 200 activates thebidirectional USB data communication function (1115) and checks whetherthe cigarette lighter plug device 100 is connected with the userterminal 300 through the USB connector unit 125 of the cigarette lighterplug device 100 by cable (1120). When the cigarette lighter plug device100 is connected with the user terminal 300 by cable, the beacon module200 establishes the bidirectional USB data communication with the userterminal 300 (1125).

(Description of the Symbols) 100: cigarette lighter plug device 105:body insertion unit 110: terminal 115: power supply unit 120: powerconversion unit 125: USB connector unit 130: power charging unit 200:beacon module 204: USB communication unit 208: memory unit 212: RFprocessing unit 216: antenna unit 224: terminal registration unit 228:terminal authentication unit 232: PIN registration unit 236: PINauthentication unit 240: communication 244: module authenticationprocessing unit processing unit 248: information storage unit 252: seedstorage unit 256: seed determination unit 260: code generation unit 264:beacon transmission unit 268: power check unit 272: mode setting unit276: signal control unit 280: USB control unit 284: transmission controlunit 300: user terminal 325: program 330: communication 335: PINauthentication establishment unit procedure unit 340: terminalauthentication 345: module authentication procedure unit procedure unit350: information generation unit 355: communication procedure unit 360:signal determination unit 365: information output unit

1. An adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device, which is acigarette lighter plug device owned by a user, the adaptive beaconcigarette lighter plug device comprising: a body insertion unit having abody structure to be inserted into a cigarette lighter receptacle of avehicle; a power supply unit configured to receive power from thevehicle through the cigarette lighter receptacle when the body insertionunit is inserted into the cigarette lighter receptacle of the vehicle: apower conversion unit configured to convert the power received from thevehicle into at least one type of designated operating power; auniversal serial bus (USB) connector unit comprising a USB connectorconfigured to apply USB power converted by the power conversion unit tothe outside; a power charging unit configured to charge using at leastone of power supplied through the power supply unit and power convertedby the power conversion unit; and a beacon module configured to operatewith vehicular power supplied from the vehicle when it is confirmed thatthe body insertion unit is inserted into the cigarette lighterreceptacle of the vehicle and the vehicular power is being supplied fromthe vehicle through the power supply unit or operate with power chargedin the power charging unit when it is not confirmed that the vehicularpower is being supplied from the vehicle, process at least one type ofbidirectional data communication including bidirectional Bluetooth datacommunication with a paired user terminal when a Bluetooth function ofthe user terminal is activated, and broadcast at least oneBluetooth-based beacon signal using the vehicular power or the chargedpower.
 2. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1,wherein the beacon module performs bidirectional USB data communicationwith the user terminal when the user terminal is connected to the USBconnector unit.
 3. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device ofclaim 1, wherein the beacon module comprises: a memory unit having anidentification information storage region for storing terminalidentification information for uniquely identifying and authenticating auser terminal (or a program of the user terminal); and a terminalregistration unit configured to receive the terminal identificationinformation from the user terminal and register the received terminalidentification information in the identification information storageregion when bidirectional data communication is established with theuser terminal.
 4. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device ofclaim 3, further comprising: a terminal authentication unit configuredto authenticate validity of the user terminal (or the program of theuser terminal), with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, by using the terminal identification information when thebidirectional data communication is established with the user terminalwhile the user identification information is registered; and acommunication processing unit configured to process the bidirectionaldata communication with the user terminal authenticated through theterminal identification information.
 5. The adaptive beacon cigarettelighter plug device of claim 1, further comprising: a memory unit havinga PIN storage region for storing PIN authentication information for PINauthentication; a PIN registration unit configured to receive PINauthentication information from the user terminal, with which thebidirectional data communication is established, and store the receivedPIN authentication information in the PIN storage region; and a PINauthentication unit configured to receive PIN information input throughthe user terminal, with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished, and authenticate the user terminal through the PINauthentication information.
 6. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighterplug device of claim 1, wherein the beacon module comprises a memoryunit having a default memory region for storing a set of data forbroadcasting a default Bluetooth-based beacon signal and a use-specificmemory region for storing a set of data for broadcasting a use-specificBluetooth-based beacon signal through the user terminal.
 7. The adaptivebeacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1, wherein the beaconmodule further comprises: an information storage unit configured tostore unique information to be broadcast through a defaultBluetooth-based beacon signal in a designated default memory region; anda beacon transmission unit configured to control broadcast of a beaconsignal including the unique information stored in the default memoryregion.
 8. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1,wherein the beacon module further comprises: a seed storage unitconfigured to store one or more static seed values for generatingdisposable code to be broadcast through a default Bluetooth-based beaconsignal in a designated default memory region; a seed determination unitconfigured to determine at least one dynamic seed value for generatingthe disposable code; a code generation unit configured to dynamicallygenerate the disposable code by applying the one or more static seedvalues and the at least one dynamic seed value to a designated codegeneration algorithm; and a beacon transmission unit configured tocontrol broadcast of a beacon signal including the disposable code. 9.The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1, whereinthe beacon module further comprises: an information storage unitconfigured to store unique information to be broadcast through a defaultBluetooth-based beacon signal in a designated default memory region; aseed storage unit configured to store one or more static seed values forgenerating disposable code to be broadcast through the defaultBluetooth-based beacon signal in the default memory region; a seeddetermination unit configured to determine at least one dynamic seedvalue for generating the disposable code; a code generation unitconfigured to dynamically generate the disposable code by applying theone or more static seed values and the at least one dynamic seed valueto a designated code generation algorithm; and a beacon transmissionunit configured to control broadcast of a beacon signal including theunique information of the default memory region and the disposable code.10. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1,wherein the beacon module comprises: a power check unit configured tocheck whether the vehicular power is being supplied from the vehicle;and a mode setting unit configured to set or confirm an operation modeto or as a vehicular power mode in which the beacon module operates withthe vehicular power when it is confirmed that the vehicular power isbeing supplied and set or confirm the operation mode to or as a chargedpower mode in which the beacon module operates with the power charged inthe power charging unit when it is not confirmed that the vehicularpower is being supplied.
 11. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plugdevice of claim 1, wherein the beacon module further comprises a signalcontrol unit configured to control, when the beacon module operates withthe vehicular power, amplification of the beacon signal to apre-calculated power or maximum available power and broadcast of theamplified beacon signal
 12. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plugdevice of claim 1, wherein the beacon module further comprises a signalcontrol unit configured to control broadcast of the beacon signal as lowenergy power when the beacon module operates with the charged power. 13.The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 1, whereinthe beacon module comprises: a communication processing unit configuredto receive setting information for controlling selective broadcast of ause-specific beacon signal from the user terminal through thebidirectional data communication; and a transmission control unitconfigured to control broadcast of a use-specific beacon signalcorresponding to the setting information.
 14. The adaptive beaconcigarette lighter plug device of claim 13, wherein the settinginformation includes at least one of unique information to be includedin the use-specific beacon signal, a seed value for generatingdisposable code to be included in the use-specific beacon signal, and aprotocol structure of the use-specific beacon signal.
 15. The adaptivebeacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 13, wherein the beaconmodule further comprises: an information storage unit configured tostore unique information included in the setting information in adesignated use-specific memory region; and a beacon transmission unitconfigured to control broadcast of a use-specific beacon signalincluding the unique information stored in the use-specific memoryregion.
 16. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim13, wherein the beacon module further comprises: a seed storage unitconfigured to store one or more seed values included in the settinginformation in a designated use-specific memory region; a seeddetermination unit configured to determine one or more seed values forgenerating the disposable code; a code generation unit configured todynamically generate the disposable code by applying the one or moreseed values to a designated code generation algorithm; and a beacontransmission unit configured to control broadcast of a use-specificbeacon signal including the disposable code.
 17. The adaptive beaconcigarette lighter plug device of claim 13, wherein the beacon modulefurther comprises: an information storage unit configured to storeunique information included in the setting information in a designateduse-specific memory region; a seed storage unit configured to store oneor more seed values included in the setting information in theuse-specific memory region; a seed determination unit configured todetermine one or more seed values for generating the disposable code; acode generation unit configured to dynamically generate the disposablecode by applying the one or more seed values to a designated codegeneration algorithm; and a beacon transmission unit configured tocontrol broadcast of a beacon signal including the unique informationstored in the use-specific memory region and the generated disposablecode.
 18. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 13,wherein the transmission control unit determines whether to broadcastthe use-specific beacon signal according to a control command of theuser terminal with which the bidirectional data communication isestablished.
 19. The adaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device ofclaim 13, wherein the transmission control unit determines whether tobroadcast the use-specific beacon signal on the basis of whether USBconnection is established or released between the USB connector unit andthe user terminal while valid setting information is stored in adesignated use-specific memory region.
 20. The adaptive beacon cigarettelighter plug device of claim 13, wherein the transmission control unitdetermines whether to broadcast the use-specific beacon signal on thebasis of whether the bidirectional Bluetooth data communication with theuser terminal is possible or not while valid setting information isstored in a designated use-specific memory region.
 21. The adaptivebeacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 13, wherein thetransmission control unit allows broadcast of a use-specific beaconsignal when valid setting information is stored in a designateduse-specific memory region and does not allow broadcast of theuse-specific beacon signal after a designated validity period passes orwhen a specific signal is received from the user terminal.
 22. Theadaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 13, wherein thecommunication processing unit provides beacon transmission informationindicating which of the default beacon signal and the use-specificbeacon signal is being broadcast to the user terminal through thebidirectional data communication.
 23. The adaptive beacon cigarettelighter plug device of claim 1, wherein the beacon module comprises aUSB communication unit electrically connected with the USB connectorunit and configured to process USB-based data communication.
 24. Theadaptive beacon cigarette lighter plug device of claim 2, wherein thebeacon module further comprises a USB control unit configured todeactivate USB-based data communication when bidirectional Bluetoothdata communication is established with the user terminal while thebeacon module operates with the vehicular power supplied from thevehicle.